With a view to accelerating research and development in specialty papers for packaging and communication, and in labels, Italian papermaker Fedrigoni has launched the construction of a major innovation center. Spread over 3,000 m 2 the new facility, located next to the Group's headquarters in Verona, is scheduled to open its doors in the first quarter of 2024.
"We're convinced that without continuous improvement, there's no future explains Marco Nespolo, CEO of Fedrigoni,âeuros and this improvement certainly involves R&D, but also the exchange of experience and collaboration between different skills, so as to have the broadest possible vision and seize every opportunity."
In particular, Fedrigoni will be working on RFID antenna applications other than labels, and on durable papers that can replace plastic, such as tear-resistant, greaseproof, waterproof and translucent papers.
4 areas dedicated to exchange and innovation
Open to Fedrigoni customers, end-users, suppliers and partners, the Innovation Center will comprise four areas.
The first will house the group's research, development and innovation team, with laboratories for the analysis of new raw materials, starting with recycled fibers and cellulose alternativesâeuros; machines for prototyping new treatmentsâeuros; digital printers for testing printing and a fully automated sample warehouse, which will include over 8,000 speciality papers.
The second space, the FedLab, which will include coworking spaces, will be an incubator for producing sustainable products, services or processes, thanks to an ecosystem of players already in place with Italian and foreign universities and research centers such as the Universities of Milan, Naples and Pisa, the Grenoble INP-Pagora International School of Paper Engineering and the Centre Technique du Papier (CTP).
The third location will house the Customer Experience Center, where visitors - brands, investors, graphic designers, printers, converters, institutions, students and school groups - can discover the products.
The fourth, the Customer Academy, will be a learning and training center for Fedrigoni employees, customers, partners and university students.
